By: Ahmad Dzul Ilmi Muis)*
The government has a very high commitment to continuing to maintain the stability of basic commodities in the community, including continuing to maintain the availability of basic commodities in order to welcome the Idul Fitri victory day so that it makes it easier for the community and does not put pressure on the economy.
Ahead of the celebration of the victory day, Eid al-Fitr or Lebaran in 2023 or 1444 H this time, the prices of basic commodities usually tend to always increase. Of course, this cannot be separated from how high the enthusiasm of the community is for carrying out the holy month of Ramadan and welcoming Eid al-Fitr.
However, with the potential for an increase in the price of basic commodities that can happen and does usually happen, of course the government will not just sit idly by. The President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed all of his staff to continue to take many steps to prepare and also anticipate related to the availability and price stability of basic commodities ahead of the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr 2023 or also known as Eid Day.
In this regard, the Coordinating Minister (Menko) for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto then said that currently the central government has taken many steps and preparations in welcoming the arrival of the Eid al-Fitr victory day, one of which is continuing to try to reduce the price of basic commodities.
In fact, according to him, all the prices of basic commodities themselves are still relatively safe. Also included, regarding several stocks that are highly dependent on import activities such as meat and soybean staples, the government continues to strive for their procurement as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (Mendag RI), Zulkifli Hasan said that currently various steps regarding preparations ahead of the Eid al-Fitr celebration carried out by the central Government have been running for almost 90 percent. All of these preparations are in accordance with the plans made. He then hopes that all plans will not encounter significant obstacles.
For now, the Minister of Trade emphasized that indeed the conditions for the availability of basic commodities in Indonesia can be said to be sufficient and the prices are still under control. President Jokowi also did not remain silent in preparation for Eid Al-Fitr.
The Head of State has instructed Bulog to be able to maximize and optimize the absorption of rice from harvests. Because by absorbing as much grain or rice from farmers as possible, stock availability will also be maintained. If availability can be maintained, then of course prices can be reduced so that they don’t go up too high.
The central government is indeed continuing to make efforts to prepare many steps in order to continue to maintain supply, anticipate and also ensure the affordability of basic commodity prices starting during Ramadan until the Idul Fitri holiday. Acting Deputy for Coordinating Macroeconomics and Finance of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ferri Irawan said that the national food security sector continues to face global economic uncertainty and prepares ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
Efforts to continue to maintain the stability of basic commodities, availability and price stability are not only carried out by the central government. This is because the Governor of Central Java (Central Java), Ganjar Pranowo, conducted a direct observation and carried out market operations, as well as monitoring the needs for basic commodities ahead of Eid or Eid Al-Fitr 1444 H.
When met directly at the market, one of the traders admitted that the price of garlic and other basic commodities was still relatively stable because it was still below the reference price set by the central government. Then, Ganjar said that the market operations he was carrying out were in order to stabilize the prices of basic commodities ahead of Eid.
Therefore, in the future the market operations will continue until approaching Eid al-Fitr 1444 H. Not only checking the prices of basic commodities, Ganjar also checks the prices of clothing on the market. According to him, the atmosphere of Lebaran has begun to be quite felt and is a sign that the economy will be quite good.
Welcoming Eid al-Fitr Victory Day, the price of basic commodities will usually tend to increase due to limited supply with a large increase in demand from the public. Therefore, the government has a very high commitment to maintaining this with all its efforts to ensure the stability of basic commodities in society.
)* The author is an alumnus of FISIP Unair
